Leibowitz on Trade: The Confirmation Game

Last Thursday, policy wonks observed the confirmation hearing of Katherine Tai to be the new United States Trade Representative, replacing Robert Lighthizer. When a new administration takes over, the previous leadership departs at noon on Jan. 20 and “acting” leadership assumes authority, but generally not much power. The new team is nominated, typically on Jan. 20 or even before. The process of Senate confirmation requires a hearing before the Senate committee with jurisdiction over the matters that the nominee will take charge over.

Katherine Tai is a veteran trade lawyer in government and really knows trade. I personally have worked with her on trade matters. She is thorough, has a great eye for detail, asks tough and very pertinent questions of her interlocutors. A real professional. She came to USTR late in the George W. Bush administration and served there through the Obama years. In 2014, she moved to Congress as Democratic trade counsel for the House Ways and Means Committee. She will move from there to USTR when she is confirmed by the Senate, which will happen within a few weeks, barring unforeseen events.